NEW plans could see the biggest change to schools and community facilities in Faifley for generations.
A new £27 million campus would include Edinbarnet and St Joseph’s primaries, Auchnacraig Early Learning Centre, Faifley Library and Skypoint Community Facility.
It would create the largest primary by pupil roll across the local authority, with an estimated roll of 539 youngsters.
But there is no location or timetable for the new campus and no consultation has taken place.
And one local councillor has said it could take at least four years to get pupils through new doors.
Both primary schools, which are decades old, along with Linnvale Primary, would see continued work to maintain their current building standard in the coming years.
Tens of thousands of pounds has been invested in the Faifley buildings, but problems with the heating in Edinbarnet, again, were reported this week.
Edinbarnet Primary was plagued last year with problems, including a small piece of mortar falling from the roof, prompting parents to demand a new school.
Now parents on social media have so far welcomed the idea of a new home for pupils.
Edinbarnet's parent council said: "We welcome the proposal of an education/community campus for Faifley.
"We are realistic about the time scales, and in the meantime the repairs already approved for Edinbarnet will continue as scheduled. We are looking forward to Faifley coming together as a community."
But Councillor Douglas McAllister said he was concerned pupils going into P1 this summer might still be in their original schools when they finish P7.
He told the Post: “This is a 10-year plan. When? Where? How much? There’s no answers.
“What’s going on in the schools is fantastic and we are letting them down with the fabric of the schools.
“Twice the SNP announced a new Skypoint – we appear to have abandoned that and seem to be throwing the schools into it.
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“The community of Faifley feels forgotten and we are all to blame for that. I will listen to what Faifley wants – we need to consult people first and we need to get it right.”
The plan for Faifley is considered a “top priority” – second only to the Renton Campus – after suggestions two years ago that a new Skypoint with a new library was promised by the SNP administration in response to cutting back library opening hours.
West Dunbartonshire Council’s educational services committee will consider a report looking at the condition and future of all area schools today.
Council officials are bidding for Scottish Government cash but have already committed broadly to the project under their capital spending plans for the future. Government cash would only pay for a portion of the total cost, which is thought to be around £27m.
The strategy for all buildings in the coming decade will ensure they all meet a minimum “B” or “satisfactory” standard. “A” is reserved for a new build.
Edinbarnet, St Joseph’s and Auchnacraig are all currrently rated B, according to the report. Only the Renton Campus and Dalreoch Primary currently have C ratings.
Councillor Karen Conaghan, convener of educational services, states in the report: “Working together with our communities and in partnership with parents and carers, we will continue to deliver for our young people and improve life chances and outcomes.”
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